Category: Business

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Unemployment climbs above 5%

Source: Council of Trade Unions – CTU

Data released today by Statistics NZ shows that unemployment rose to 5.1%, with 33,000 more people out of work than last year said NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi Economist Craig Renney. “The latest data shows that employment fell in Aotearoa at its fastest rate since the GFC. Unemployment rose in 8 out 12 regions. 2.5m fewer hours were worked last year. There is a real and growing problem in the labour market.”

This data should be a wakeup call to the Government about the economy. Renney said “Unemployment is a lagging indicator and is forecast to continue to keep increasing. Nothing in this data suggests that these forecasts are going to change. The number of people who want more work and can’t get it is at its highest rate since COVID.

“Ahead of Waitangi Day, we should note that unemployment for Māori is nearly twice the rate of the general population at 9.2%. 5,700 more Māori are out of work than last year. Pacific Peoples unemployment is 9.6%, and unemployment for young people (15-24 year olds) is up 13,800 annually. The NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) rate was last this high, on a comparable basis, in 2012 according to Stats NZ.” Renney said.

“Wage increases are slowing, with nearly half (46%) of working people getting a pay rise less than CPI. With the minimum wage rising by only 1.5% in April, this is another trend likely to continue. With part-time work growing, but full-time work declining, maintaining incomes in households is going to be increasingly difficult.

“Right now, there is no plan for the economy. No plan for the labour market. The economy is in sharp recession. Unemployment is rising. It’s time for a plan for New Zealand. We are losing record numbers of people overseas, and without that these numbers would likely have been much worse,” said Renney.

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“Something is very wrong in our society and economy” – NZCTU Workforce Survey shows people fear for future

Source: Council of Trade Unions – CTU

Insecurity in work, housing, and health among working people has emerged as the key finding from the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi’s 2025 annual Mood of the Workforce survey.

NZCTU President Richard Wagstaff says the survey, which polled more than 1900 people, shows immense concern that the Government is taking Aotearoa New Zealand in the wrong direction.

“We’ve been running this survey since 2019, and I have never seen such a negative response. People are in fear for their jobs and their businesses, their ability to keep their homes, and for their health,” said Wagstaff.

“They also don’t trust this Government to make it better because they are feeling firsthand the damage that’s been done with austerity policies that are only benefiting an already privileged few.

“The message that the Government has no interest in helping working people, who are the majority of New Zealanders, is coming through strongly in people’s comments on the tax system, the health system, and their work.

“People are sharing stories of losing their jobs or struggling to cover the work of colleagues who have already lost their jobs. These are heartbreaking to hear. But so are the stories of families being broken up as people’s kids leave the country to find better job prospects, or of parents having to act as a safety net for their adult children. These children have been hit hardest by the recent downturns, and an unfair and unforgiving housing market.

“A consistent theme is an overwhelming sense that something is very wrong, both in our society and with the economy.

“We’ve seen that at a statistical level in things like the recent Curia polling which showed people feel we are on the wrong track as a nation, but the results from our workforce survey give a close up and troubling picture of what that means in people’s lives.

“My great concern is that rather than admit that their policy direction is hurting people and damaging our economy, the Government is doubling down on it in their recent announcements.

“Whether that’s because of the Government’s arrogance or because they live in a bubble of privilege and don’t understand the damage they are doing is immaterial. People want a change of direction and to see things done a different and better way.

“Any politician or political party that ignores working people and their communities does so at their peril,” said Wagstaff.

View the results

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Bringing change through compost, carbon, and connection (PPF)

Source: Plant and Food New Zealand – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: Bringing change through compost, carbon, and connection (PPF)

People | Planet | Food – In this episode, host Roger Robson-Williams chats with friend and colleague Stephen Wallace, Sustainability Manager at AgResearch and Plant & Food Research,
Stephen shares his journey into sustainability, sparked by a passion for the environment and early efforts to combat food waste in the workplace. He offers insights into his collaborations with senior leadership to tackle greenhouse gas emissions from buildings and vehicles, emphasising the importance of reducing gross emissions and the role of carbon offsetting in climate strategies. The episode wraps up with practical advice on how individuals can contribute to a healthier planet, ensuring thriving ecosystems and healthy, sustainable food for all.
To view our full catalogue of podcasts go to our Scigest page: www.plantandfood.com/scigest

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Luxon’s speech an exercise in smoke and mirrors

Source: Council of Trade Unions – CTU

The Prime Minister’s State of the Nation speech is an exercise in smoke and mirrors which deflects from the reality that he has overseen the worst economic growth in 30 years, said NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi President Richard Wagstaff.

“Luxon wants to “go for growth” but since he and Nicola Willis took power, unemployment has skyrocketed, growth has plummeted, and record numbers of New Zealanders are heading overseas. They have overseen the worst record on economic growth since 1991,” said Wagstaff.
 
“It beggars’ belief to hear the Prime Minister talk up the need for investment in science and innovation, when over the last year his Government has cut research funding and axed more than 500 jobs in the public science sector. The new policies to merge Crown Research Institutes (CRIs) and “commercialise science” miss the point. The focus should be on increasing investment in science and properly funding CRIs and universities, not mergers, cuts, and slogans.
 
“Aotearoa New Zealand is only spending about half the OECD average on science and research and development (R&D). That needs to change, and yet we heard nothing today about increased funding for science and research.

“We are also alarmed at the Prime Minister’s signal that workplace health and safety is a cost rather than an investment in workers’ lives. Safe workplaces are prdocutive workplaces.
 
“The Prime Minister and Minister of Finance continue to demonstrate how out of touch they are with working people by failing to recognise the economic hardship that people are living through as a result of their heartless choices and their lack of an economic plan or industrial strategy.
 
“Working people in New Zealand are now experiencing extraordinary economic insecurity, from job losses and stagnating wages to housing insecurity and rising costs.
 
“At a time when people were crying out for economic investment and support through the cost-of-living crisis, the Government slashed and burned public services and infrastructure while making decisions that have increased costs, such as bringing back prescription fees, increasing public transport fees, indexing benefit increases to inflation rather than wage growth, and cutting the minimum wage in real terms for two consecutive years.
  
“The Government likes to talk about the need to tackle our poor productivity performance, and the need for a longer-term plan to arrest our decline, but their actions continue to take us in the opposite direction. We need an industry plan to create good high wage jobs in highly productive and low emissions industries.
 
“For too long politicians have failed to tackle the generational crises that confront us, from inequality to climate change, and the future of work. It’s past time that politicians recognise the need to do things differently and build an economy that works for everyone,” said Wagstaff.

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4 KiwiSaver Hacks to Start 2025 on Track

Source: Press Release Service – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: 4 KiwiSaver Hacks to Start 2025 on Track

More than 3 million* New Zealanders currently have a KiwiSaver account, and making small tweaks has the potential to make a big difference to Kiwis’ finances. We’ve picked our top 4 KiwiSaver hacks to help Kiwis maximise their savings in 2025 and beyond.

The post 4 KiwiSaver Hacks to Start 2025 on Track first appeared on PR.co.nz.

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Working people will pay for static inflation

Source: Council of Trade Unions – CTU

Data released by Statistics New Zealand today showed that inflation remains unchanged at 2.2%, defying expectations of further declines, said NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi Economist Craig Renney.

“While inflation holding steady might sound like good news, the reality is that prices for the basics—like rent, energy, and insurance—are still rising. The removal of the Auckland Regional Fuel Tax helped ease petrol prices, but without that reduction, inflation could have gone even higher. Workers and families are still struggling with rising costs for everyday essentials,” said Renney.

“The recent drops in inflation have been helped by falls in the price of vehicle fuels – with the average price of 91 falling from $2.81 to $2.55. If we remove petrol from the CPI the overall inflation rose by 2.7%.

“Tradable inflation overall also turned, falling by less than last quarter. Tradeable inflation tends to lead the overall direction of inflation in the future”. 

 “Many working people aren’t feeling the benefits of lower inflation. Rental inflation was nearly twice general inflation at 4.2%, showing that landlord tax breaks aren’t leading to lower rental prices. 

 “While stable overall inflation is welcome, the prices for things that people can’t avoid are rising more quickly. Insurance prices rose by 11.2% annually. Local authority rates rose 12%. Household energy costs are rising by 5%. These are all eating into already tight household budgets.

 “Last month the government agreed to increase the minimum wage by 1.5% in April. Inflation is currently at 2.2% and seems to have reached its floor. For workers on the minimum wage this looks increasingly like another year in which they will take real terms pay cuts. The Government needs to respond to this data by lifting the minimum wage in real terms,” said Renney.

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Latest decisions: T&Cs, social media alcohol ads, and more

Source: Advertising Standards Authority

11 December 2024

The following are the latest decisions from the ASA.

Upheld Complaints: The Complaints Board agreed with the complainant the advertisement breached the Advertising Codes. The advertiser has been asked to remove or amend it.

Settled Complaints: The advertiser has amended or removed the advertisement after receiving the complaint.

Not Upheld Complaints: The Complaints Board found the ad did not breach the Advertising Codes in relation to the complainant’s concerns.

No Further Action: The Chair of the Complaints Board reviewed the ad and the complaint, and ruled the issues raised are not a breach of the Advertising Codes.

Decision Summaries

Each month we summarise two decisions from the above list

Delivereasy Facebook ad amended following misleading fine print concerns

Complaint 24/199 Delivereasy, Digital Marketing, Settled

A Facebook ad for Delivereasy has been amended following concerns the terms and conditions diminished the deal offered.

The ad included the text: “Hungry? Order now and we’ll leave a better taste in your mouth. Use code NEWBIE for 50% off your first order. T&C’s apply”.

The complainant was concerned the T&Cs further limited the eligibility for the promotion by excluding new customers if they lived at an address that had received an order in the past.

When notified of the complaint, the advertiser advised they had paused the ad while they reviewed their eligibility processes. The ad was resumed following changes to their process to verify eligible new customers by criteria other than their delivery address.

Given the advertiser’s co-operative engagement with the process and self-regulatory actions in amending their process, the Chair ruled the matter was Settled.

Our Quick Guide: Misleading Advertising provides our top tips to communicate deals clearly with your consumers.

Alcohol ad removed following concerns it breached Code

Complaint 24/209 Long Bay Surf Club, Digital Marketing, Settled  

Long Bay Surf Club has removed Facebook and Instagram advertisements following concerns they breached the Alcohol Advertising and Promotion Code.

The Facebook and Instagram ads showed four young people socialising and included the text “Did you know that music and discounted @drink_pals can significantly reduce stress for students before exams? We are not entirely sure either, but it sounds pretty legit!”

The complainant, Alcohol Healthwatch, raised concerns the ad was socially irresponsible as it advertised that drinking alcohol would reduce stress, and depicted people who did not appear to be at least 25 years old.

The ASA requested a response from Long Bay Surf Club and Drink Pals as parties to the complaint. Drink Pals noted they had requested removal of the ads and had reminded the advertiser of their responsibilities under the ASA Codes. Long Bay Surf Club confirmed the advertisements had been removed and committed to exercising greater caution in future promotions.

The Chair ruled the complaint was Settled.

Need a refresher on the rules? Our Quick Guide: Social Media Marketing for Alcohol provides six tips to ensure your ads comply with the Alcohol Advertising and Promotion Code.

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ASA Christmas Closure

Source: Advertising Standards Authority

The ASA will be closed for the Christmas break. Our last day is Thursday 19 December, and we return to the office on Monday 6 January 2025.

If you contact us during this time, we will respond as soon as possible once we return to the office.

On behalf of the ASA, we hope you have a safe and happy summer break!

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December 2024 Newsletter

Source: Advertising Standards Authority

Avoid your silly season turning into a stressful season – below are our top tips for responsible summer advertising campaigns.

Placement during school holidays: With schools closed for the summer, advertisers should continue to take care with placement of advertisements that may appeal to children. Along with ensuring that content and placement complies with the new Children’s Advertising Code, consider that children’s media consumption may change during school holidays – including staying up later, or accessing media during what are typically school hours. A reminder to take all available measures to target the appropriate audience.

Summer safety: while summer is synonymous with outdoor fun, ads must not encourage or condone a reckless disregard for safety, or depict anti-social behaviour. Check out our Quick Guide: Safety Rules in Advertising for our top tips on safety-responsible ads.

When it comes to alcohol advertising, make sure your ads don’t link consumption with water sports, motorsports or other activities where impaired function will cause a safety risk.

Alcohol advertising must comply with the Alcohol Advertising and Promotion Code. Encouraging excessive consumption, even of low-alcohol drinks, is likely to breach the Code. If you’re activating alcohol campaigns on social media, ensure all parties to the ad (including any influencer collaborations) are aware of the rules. Our Quick Guide: Social Media Marketing for Alcohol is a great place to start!

Did someone say ice cream?

With the new Food and Beverage Advertising Code now in full effect, a high standard of social responsibility is required for all advertising in this category. As a starting point, ensure occasional food and beverage product and brand advertising does not target Children under 16 years, or contain content that may appeal to them. Portion sizes should be appropriate for the people depicted in the ad and take care to ensure promotions don’t encourage excessive or repeat purchase. Our Quick Guide series contains more information on the rules around food and beverage advertising.

Keep it real

Advertising must be truthful and not misleading. Ensure claims are accurate and able to be substantiated – if in doubt, leave it out.

With New Years resolution time around the corner, make sure any fitness advertising targets the appropriate audience, and doesn’t negatively depict, stereotype or denigrate people based on weight or body type.

Any questions?

We’re here to help. Our team offer training on the ASA Codes, along with our AdHelp information service to test advertising ideas against relevant Codes and precedents. If you’d like to learn more, don’t hesitate to contact us.

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Current News

Source: Advertising Standards Authority

Avoid your silly season turning into a stressful season – below are our top tips for responsible summer advertising campaigns.

Placement during school holidays: With schools closed for the summer, advertisers should continue to take care with placement of advertisements that may appeal to children. Along with ensuring that content and placement complies with the new Children’s Advertising Code, consider that children’s media consumption may change during school holidays – including staying up later, or accessing media during what are typically school hours. A reminder to take all available measures to target the appropriate audience.

Summer safety: while summer is synonymous with outdoor fun, ads must not encourage or condone a reckless disregard for safety, or depict anti-social behaviour. Check out our Quick Guide: Safety Rules in Advertising for our top tips on safety-responsible ads.

When it comes to alcohol advertising, make sure your ads don’t link consumption with water sports, motorsports or other activities where impaired function will cause a safety risk.

Alcohol advertising must comply with the Alcohol Advertising and Promotion Code. Encouraging excessive consumption, even of low-alcohol drinks, is likely to breach the Code. If you’re activating alcohol campaigns on social media, ensure all parties to the ad (including any influencer collaborations) are aware of the rules. Our Quick Guide: Social Media Marketing for Alcohol is a great place to start!

Did someone say ice cream?

With the new Food and Beverage Advertising Code now in full effect, a high standard of social responsibility is required for all advertising in this category. As a starting point, ensure occasional food and beverage product and brand advertising does not target Children under 16 years, or contain content that may appeal to them. Portion sizes should be appropriate for the people depicted in the ad and take care to ensure promotions don’t encourage excessive or repeat purchase. Our Quick Guide series contains more information on the rules around food and beverage advertising.

Keep it real

Advertising must be truthful and not misleading. Ensure claims are accurate and able to be substantiated – if in doubt, leave it out.

With New Years resolution time around the corner, make sure any fitness advertising targets the appropriate audience, and doesn’t negatively depict, stereotype or denigrate people based on weight or body type.

Any questions?

We’re here to help. Our team offer training on the ASA Codes, along with our AdHelp information service to test advertising ideas against relevant Codes and precedents. If you’d like to learn more, don’t hesitate to contact us.